IM
-
Content Count
365 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Never
Posts posted by IM
-
-
On a piece of paper I got with my gaijin card, sez it must be carried at all time. Besides this, I always bring with me a copy of my gaijin card, passport, credit card information and insurance information. Once I thought I lost my wallet in Niseko, boy what a horrible experience.
-
It is the hight of the season, and if you drive, we all experienced the inevitable the "Jam". I wonder if we put some tricks/tips on driving, may help others to avoid the "Jam". Here is mine for Kagura bound:
1. Leave Firday night, and use the free "crash" facility to catch some Zs. Having a sleeping bag really helps.
2. If you arrive in the morning with the rest of the crowds, instead of stopping at 7-11 near Kandatu, go toward Yuzawa and there is a Save-On on the right hand-side and not crowded.
3. Print out a coupon on the web for a somewhat discounted lift ticket.
4. Better yet, if you are a regular, buy the preseason discount ticket, it is 2000y/day.
5. When snowing hard, it spills over to this side of the mountain and they will put chain control near Shibukawa/Ikaho. This causes major "jam" even you leave Tokyo 4:00AM. The best practice is revert to 1 above - keep an eye on forcast.
6. ORBIS going out is located 59km, 89km(looks non op. now), just before Kanetsu Tunnel. Coming back, just before the tunnel, near Maebashi.
-
Klingon,
That is tough, can you get some Japanese speaking friend to do that for you? You call your friend in town have him/her call the place and he/she calls you back! Too bad we all don't speak Klingon.
Kagura does have recorded meassages, but they don't tell you sh%t. It is the best to talk to a real person. When I see a wind sock flattering on on bridges on Kanetsu, it is time to call.
-
I like Burton system. This year's boots tend to be much better fit than previous models. To me, PSI is an improvement over SI, I like its rachet action rather than single "snap" which I often missed. PSI is less succeptable to snow clogging, too. On the other hand, Shimano Rapid Fire has problems of breaking at the most critical moment like rushing to carve the first powder tracks! A frined of mine uses Flow but he had hard time in back country in deep snow trying to get into them.
-
Fattwins,
Sorry for my non-explanation. I meant you typically do not cut if someone is below you, common sense says wait till the person get out of the way, or let him know you are dropping in.
-
This is not really on slopes, but what's with this Patagonia's puff ball jackets these days?, seems everybody's brothers and cousins are wearing one. Are those copies? Esp. mint greens.
-
I just focus on the space between the trees, I let my body reaction take care of someone else's tracks. Once you put your eys on those, you are focusing on only a 10 ft ahead, not far enough ahead of you.
-
Going back a few posts. I did not mean to wish anyone to be killed. Duing my commute to Niseko for the last four seasons, I have seen numerous mini accidents outside of the resort boundaries. Mostly by idiots ducking rope and hitting a tree, falling, or getting stuck. And patrols do get out there risking their lives, and charge nothing. Those do not have any idea of "at your own risk" and method like Jackson simply does not work in Niseko. I just hope the access becomes so limited so only so trained and determined can get out there and rewarded.
BTW, a Canadian triggered an avalanche in Geto two weeks ago, and a friend of mine was caught in it. Fortunately, he was hospitalized just for a broken leg and my firned with minor injuries.
-
By focusing on the space between the trees, you can see what's beyond the immediate set of trees - I think this is VERY important piece of element in successful tree runs.
For washig your wear, I use NikWax - it seems to work the best for the laminated (ie: Gore Tex) fabric.
-
I can't get to the review page - page not found.
??
-
Before, you waste money on a cab, I strongly suggest to call the place to find if all lifts are operating. For two Saturdays in a row, they did not operate the top quad chair, which forced to us go some other place. When top of Kagura is closed by high wind, typically, Tashio and Naeba are iffy, too. I have all the resorts phone numbers in my keitai so I can get the info. on my way.
-
Niseko local rule would only be effective if enforced. If frigging stupids keep doing 7tra without patrol to gurd the ropes, the ones who lose out are people obeying the rules! I hope someone gets burried and the araa closed forever, except for the ones hike from Goshiki.
-
I believe I put this up on some other thread, but here you go again. I see these guys guiding a bunch of guests (some look really novice with regular ski outfits) at Kagura all the time.
http://www.adventure-guides.co.jp/
Under Club Adventure
It also looks the do rent equipment, too. This is a very good way to be intro. to back country and meet others with the same interest.
-
I found some confectionaries are quite good. I usually pick them up at the airport. Maisen Battar Sando, or Shiroi Koibito are very good.
-
Are you talking about PSI/SI or regular strap type? I have been using PSI/SI for two years but never had any problems.
-
-
Guys,
I have been looking at this page and now I can start to being able to guess how the snow weather pattern comes in cycles. It looks like the snow fall (winter H and L configuration) is cycling in about 5-7 days. It's quite interesting.
-
Adding to Nekobi, in many resorts, ATM's are hard bo come by, so get the dough in Tokyo.
-
Mogski:
Beacon: X1
Probe: Ortovox Carbon240
Saw: BD (tucked inside of the shovel)
Shoe: MSR Denali Ascent
Last time I used skis w/ skins. But I have to tell you it was not an easy hike.
Side note II: In Ainu, Nupuri means mountain. You can see by Chise Nupuri, Iwao Nupuri, etc..
-
Take a leave of absence for 3 months (real wish is rest of my life)
-
Kagura is notorious for having a high wind at the top sometimes. I always call for lift status and the weather before I go. Nothing like finding the half of the place is closed when you get there.
-
Snoboyaro's bus is Donan bus. Here is my tid bit.
If you want to catch a bus from the Airport to Niseko, there are two operators, Donan and Chuo.
Donan has 9:30AM from Chitose to Niseko, this will put you at Hirafu Parking lot about 12:30. and the last bus leaving from Hirafu to Chitose is 4:00PM and this is also a Donan. Watch out for the connection, they require more than 1 hr conneciton time to the plane. Here are their URL's (Jpnes only)
http://www.donanbus.co.jp/ski/index.html
http://www.chuo-bus.co.jp/kikan/ski/ski-fl.html
If your hotel is close to the Hirafu intersection(Seico Mart) you can tell when you buy the ticket to get off/on at Hirafu Ski Jo Iriguchi, then they will drop you off there.
Other trick I use:
Going:Fly out to Chitose the night before, and take train to Otaru;stay at a cheap biz hotel. Next morning, take 6:11 local train for Oshamanbe, this will put you at Kuchan ~7:30AM so you have a full day.
Coming back: take Niseko Ski Liner from Kutchan ~ 5:00 PM thru Sapporo to Chitose.
You can get tickets at any JR 'midori no madoguchi'
-
Oh, I forgot, if you are willing, you can start from the base, too. I started around 3:00 AM and saw the sunrise at the top and carved in the first track.
-
20-25min. from the top of Dai 7
long haul in Japan?
in General off-topic discussions
Posted
This time, I've been here for 5 years and my contract is open ended, but I have a feeling at least another 5 before I make a dicision to do something else. Well, I enjoy working here, people, etc.. Having spent my first15 years here in fact made me feel at home. But traveling between US/Japan once a month also kept my up with friends and other family members back in US. So I do not feel roots on one place or another, but feel like two places are all in one.